CHRONIC IMMUNE-COMPLEX DISEASE IN MICE - ROLE OF ANTIBODY-AFFINITY

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (3) , 414-423
Abstract
Two lines of mice selectively bred for producing high and low affinity antibody to protein antigens were repeatedly injected with human serum albumin; the severity and pattern of immune complex disease induced in this way was studied in the 2 lines. In low affinity mice there was a greater intensity of deposits in the glomeruli shown by immunofluorescence, and more antibody was eluted from kidney homogenates compared to high affinity line mice. In low affinity mice, complexes were mainly on the basement membrane whereas in high affinity mice, the localization of immune complexes was predominantly mesangial. No significant difference in glomerular filtration rates between the 2 lines was obtained. Immunopathological significance of antibody affinity was discussed based on these results.